Where has summer gone?

It seems we've only enjoyed a couple of really hot and sunny days over here where I live; for the most part the weather's looking like this:


My blogging friend Ita over at Something to Share took pity on me and sent me some sunshine via this sparkly blog award!
Thank you so much, Ita. I love it! As far as I know 'ouro' means gold in Portugese. Now it's my turn to share some bloggy love with...

in no particular order

Shyn @ debugging my life
Theresa @ Theresa's Treasures
Kristin @ My Art and the Mom in me
Deanna @ Timeless Things
Nancy @ Nanjo Dogz

I hope there's lots of sunshine wherever you may live...

take care,

Introducing: Westfalenstoffe

First of all, I would like to thank ALL of you for your kind and heartfelt comments to my previous post. I have forwarded them to my dad. I know he will take great comfort in them. Thank you for your support. I'm so glad I'm part of this great blogging community!

♥♥♥

I will be doing a series of posts highlighting European textile companies. Maybe it's fitting that I start off with a famous German textile company: Westfalenstoffe AG. I happen to live only about an hour's drive away from their headquarters and outlet store!
This company was founded 75 years ago by textile artist Hanne-Nuete Kaemmerer, born 1903, famous for her intricate and, at the time, quite innovative cross-stitch designs. Many of her early textile designs have been reproduced, and are popularly used to decorate kitchens, given them a typical country house feel. Perhaps most notable is that these fabrics are made from 100% natural cotton, and do not contain formaldehyde or synthetic resin. All the colours are non-toxic and therefore suitable for children's clothes and bed linens. Westfalenstoffe produce a wide range of checks (Vichy), stripes and floral prints - which can easily be mixed and matched. They also produce a variety of very distinctive cuddly dolls!


To find international retailers click here for more information.

R.I.P. Jenny

My father's dog passed away last night.

Thirteen years ago, Jenny was found with a rope tied round her neck and a plastic bag around her snout :(
My dad took her home, cleaned her up, had her vaccinated and neutered. Despite her trauma Jenny turned out to be the sweetest, most kind-hearted and loving dog imaginable. We're going to miss her so, but I'm glad after her initial ordeal she had a happy and stress-free life. Rest in peace.

It's Award time!

Lovely Purses has received some more awards! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is exactly the kind of motivation that I need to keep on blogging. As some of you may know I haven't been feeling too good lately, due to the various aches and pains in my limbs. Fortunately, it hasn't affected my ability to type - I'm thankful for small mercies. Next week I have a couple of tests to undergo, including magnetic resonance tomography. Hopefully that will bring up some results.

Now, moving on to more pleasant things...

Marianne has so generously passed on two awards. Marianne is passionate about crafting, and she always surprises me with her creativity! Check out her blog COLOUR and you'll see what I mean!


And from Ita over at Something to Share I received the Humane Award. Ita is a cat-lover just like me, and she's got the most adorable kitties! I really enjoy visiting her blog, and checking out what her cats get up to!
Here's what this award stands for:
The Humane Award is in order to honor certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.

I would like to pass on ALL THREE awards to the following bloggers I have been lucky to meet and get to know...

in no particular order

Maria @ Maria Michelle's Furkids and Animal Rescue
Sharla @ Beaded Tail
Lisa @ Alterity Art
Tiff @ Three Peas in a Pod
Melvin @ Mouchois
Jodi @ From Kittens to Cats and more
Katie @ Go ask Katie
Melissa @ ChinkyMel's Corner
Shawie @ A Grateful Heart
Nancy @ Nfall2rt* Design Studio

take care everybody!

5 years old today!

It's Sammy's Birthday!

Well, actually...nobody really knows when my birfday iz, but five years ago today, back when I waz still thin, my mommy and daddy rescued me from the animal shelter! I always get new toys on my birfday. Look:

I gots this weird fuzzy rope with the feathers on the end that tickle my nose!

Mmm. Tastes good too!

And this ball-thingy with colourful feathers. Yay! It's mine, all mine. Birfday's are so cool. I gets to do anyfing I want...digg my sharp claws into the sofa...make holes in the carpet...pull a couple of threads out of the curtain - hey, wait. I do that everyday, don't I?

Purrrrs,

Sammy

New handbag

Here's a new bag I designed. It's made with one of my favourite prints. Actually I made it to match a sleeveless A-line tunic in the same bright red I made a while ago, which I still have to take a picture of. Up until now it was always too cold to wear...I hope to show it off soon!
The handbag closes with a magnetic snap button. The strap is reinforced with a special type of interfacing I had wanted to try out for ages (it works), and it's the perfect length for carrying on your shoulder without slipping off (like so many other bags do).

Wishing you all a great week!

Till next time,